MCC settles litigation through Quebec Labour Board conciliation process

In August 2023, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) ended the employment of John Clarke and Anicka Fast, who had been serving as MCC country representatives for Burkina Faso.

(MCC’s practice is to not disclose any confidential information related to personnel files or staff performance issues. However, as Clarke and Fast have made the details of their case widely available online and through the media, MCC feels it is important to respond directly to their claims.)

MCC recognizes that workers and their families can experience high levels of stress and trauma as a result of working in settings where there is conflict, violence or unrest such as Clarke and Fast experienced in Burkina Faso. In these cases, MCC seeks to be generous in our support.

When Clarke raised concerns with MCC about his health, he was encouraged to see a medical doctor. When Clarke and Fast flagged increasing stress, MCC repeatedly encouraged them to seek counselling and support. When Clarke and Fast requested changes in their duties, MCC was willing to accommodate those requests. When Clarke and Fast requested additional days for stress leave to be added to their vacation time in the Netherlands, MCC provided it.

Finally, while the couple and their family were in the Netherlands, Clarke stated that he and Fast would be unwilling to be located in any country in Africa. At that point, MCC indicated it was not viable for country representatives to serve outside their region.

In the end, MCC offered a settlement of more than $150,000 Cdn.

When Clarke and Fast filed a formal grievance in November 2023, accusing MCC of civil and criminal infractions, the boards of MCC Canada and MCC U.S. hired Veritas Solutions, an independent external investigator.

Though the Veritas report was limited in its helpfulness due to Clarke and Fast’s unwillingness to cooperate in the investigation, their findings named MCC’s failure to communicate in a timely and clear fashion, and failure to properly address and investigate a claim.

As a result, based on MCC’s own internal policies, which are more expansive than required by law, the Veritas investigator found that harassment had occurred. The investigation report noted that other claims—including claims of retaliation and criminal conduct—were unfounded. None of the findings were related to any type of sexual harassment or any form of gender or age harassment or discrimination.

Like any organization, MCC will face workplace conflict and MCC remains committed to mediation and alternative dispute resolution when differing opinions arise. MCC apologizes that our executive directors and HR staff were not always able to respond quickly or clearly enough to Clarke’s questions and concerns. However, the claims of systemic abuse are unequivocally false.

MCC did not at any time seek to harm Clarke or Fast. In fact, MCC was keenly aware of the situation and was closely monitoring the crisis in Burkina Faso for the whole team.

Our vision is to see communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another and creation. Our commitment to this vision is not just lip service. It remains a high calling—a north star, so to speak, as we follow Jesus into the coming decades.

Thank you to those who pray for and support MCC’s ministry.

Contact EMC office for a full report on changes MCC has introduced to their HR policies and processes over the past number of years.